Extension table



Dec. 15, 1931. l, SEGAL 1,836,404

'EXTENSION TABLE Filed Oct. 3l, 1930 41 /7 o zsh 35 45 INVENTOR. Irl/ing' Sega ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNIED "il 'TES PATENT; OFFICE IRVING VSEC1-AL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

` EXTENSION TABLE This invention relates to extension tables and more particularly is directed 'to improved automatically operating auxiliary leaf inserting means incorporated in tables having slideably separating table-top sections. Y

Among the objects of this invention is to provide improved auxiliary leaf inserting means of the character described which shall comprise few and simple parts, which shall be readily assembled and easily operated yet form a rugged structure, which shall be cheap to manufacture, and practical and eiiicient to a high degree in use. l5 Gther objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an extension table construction to embody vthe invention, partly broken away to expose the moveable extension leaf positioned below horizontally slideable table-top sections and mechanism for actuating said leaf on separating saidsections.

Fig. 2 isa cross-sectional view of the table.

Fig. 8 is .a cross-sectional view like Fig. 2 but showing the extension leaf projected into the plane of the table-top between the slideably separated sections thereof.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view like Figs. 2 and 8 showing the extension leaf rigidly secured in the plane of the table-top between the slideable sections thereof.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the parts of the kick-off device disengaging prior to closing the table, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 denotes an extension table construction to elements and arrangement of parts whichv embody the invention. Said table 10 may be constructed with a continuous apron or supporting frame 11 and spaced legs 12v incorporated therewith in any well understoodmanner. A table-top comprising a pair' of r" sections 13 and 14 is mounted on said frame for aligned horizontal sliding movement to and from each other, the ends 13b and 14?) of said sections abutting on a center line 42 transversely the length ofthe table-top as shown in Fig. 1. As here shown, the slide mounting for the tabletop `sections 13 and 14 comprises a pair ofv spaced parallelly aligned sliders, each having a fixed bar 15 extending the length of the table, the ends 15a of said bar being rigidly secured to the frame 11. Each bar Vmay be ribbed as at 15?)` on its opposite sides to provide tracks for engaging with the spacedshoe and runners 17 P Y and 18. The runners 17 co-acting with the spaced bars 15 form a pair which are interconnected by a cross-member 19 securedito a table-top section 13 for guiding the aligned horizontal sliding movement thereof,while thev corresponding runners 18 also form Va "t" pair interconnected by a cross-member 2O secured to the table-top section 14 for guiding the horizontal sliding movement thereof.

Stop pins 41 may be provided on the bars n 15, in the path of movement of the runners 17 and 18, to limit their outward movements. If desired, suitable equalizing devices may be provided in conjunction with said slide mounting for causing the tabletop sections 13 and 14 to move toward and away fromqq each other in unison so that when either section 18 or 14 is moved the other will move a corresponding distance in the `opposite direction. Ashere shown, each equalizing device o consists of a pair of racks 21 and 22, oppo 1 sitely disposed and secured to runners 17 and 18, respectively, said racks meshing with a pinion 23 which is revolvably mounted on bar 15, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

Beneath the table-top sections 13 and 14, directly under the center linev 42, there is an extension or auxiliary leaf 24. Opposite sides of the frame 11 at 11a are cut away and the sliding mounting for said table-top sections 1 13 and 14 are positioned a sufficient distance below the level or plane of the table-top (here shown corresponding to the thickness of the cross-members 19 and 2O which act as spacing means) to permit the free up and down or vertical movement of said leaf 24 with respect to the plane of said sections 13 and 14.

Improved means for elevating said leaf 24 from its normal position beneath the plane of the table-top sections 13 and 14 into said plane are provided in the form of a pair of spaced arms 25, each of which is pivoted on a. bolt 26 extending through a mid-portion thereof, said bolt being iixedly secured to the frame 11. Said arms may be interconnected by a brace rod 43, or if desired, the arms 25 and rod 43 may form a. unitary U- shaped structure. One end 25a, of each arm 25'is swingably secured to the under side of the leaf 24 by any suitable means, such as a hinge 27. The other end 257) of each arm may terminate in a projection or ledge 30 which co-operates with a swingable portion 31a of a hinge member 31 secured to the crossmembers 19 and 2O forming so called kickoff devices which co-operate in the manner hereinafter described.

Suitable spring means for actuating said arms are provided in the form of a tension spring for each of said arms having one end 35a of the spring anchored to a relatively7 fixed portion of the table frame, as at 33, the other end of said spring being secured to the end 25o of the arms 25. Said springs 35 serve'to impart swinging movement to said arms 25 on opening the table, that is, on separating said sections 13 and 14 thereby elevating the leaf 24 from its normal position beneath the table-top sections 13 and 14 into the plane thereof, in the following manner.

With the parts of the extension table 10 constructed and assembled as described above and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the auX- iliary leaf 24 being positioned beneath the abutting table-top sections 13 and 14, said sections are slidably separated by simply pulling either section 13 or 14 outwardly, that is, away from the center line 42. When said sections are spacedl apart a distance greater than the width ofthe leaf 24 the kick-off device will become effective, since the end of the swingable portion 31a of the hinge member 31 is moved to strike against the ledge 30 and as a consequence depresses the arm end 25?) below the alignment of the center of the pivoting bolt 26 with the anchored spring end 35a', indicated by line XQX. The spring end attached to theV arm will then be below the dead point and will permit the spring 35 to swing the arm 25' and elevate the leaf 24 to the plane of the table-top, as shown in Fig. 3.

Suitable means, such as spaced strips 32 may be secured against the bottom side of the leaf 24 to project therefrom for engaging said sections 13 and 14 and retaining the leaf 24 against movement beyond the plane of the table-top. If desired suitable dowels 34 and corresponding dowel holes 36 for receiving said dowels may be provided on opposite sides of the auxiliary leaf 24 and on the corresponding sides 13b and 14?) of the table-top sections 13 and 14, respectively. These dowels serve to flXedly retain the leaf between said sections 13 and 14 in the well understood manner.

After the leaf 24 has been elevated to the plane ofthe table-top as shown in Fig. 3, said sections 13 and 14 are brought together by simply pushing either section 13 or'14 towards the other so as to abut the leaf 24 and' retainsame in place as shown in Fig. 4.

To close the table, 'the sections 13 and 14 are pulled apart as shownin Fig, 5. The leaf 24 can then be depressed against the action of the spring 35 until itis in its normal position beneath said table-top sections. Said leaf 24 will be retained in this position, since the` spring end will be in the plane of the line X-X and the force of the spring 35 is eXe'; e l against the dead point or if desired, slightly above the dead point in which case the spring 35 acts to releasably retain the leaf 24 in its depressed position. Finally the table-top sections 13 andy 14 are pushed together into abutment, the hinge portion 31a riding over the ledge 30 and being repositioned ready for operation on opening the table, as shown in Fig. 2.

lt will lthus be seen that there isprovided a table in which the severall objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might 10 be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be int-erpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. ln an extension table construction, a table-top formed of sections movable with relation to each other in combination with an 'e1-:tension leaf, of an arm pivotally secured to a relatively fixed portion of the table and hinged to said leaf and a spring actuating said arm for projecting the leaf into the plane of the table-top between the sections thereof on separating said sections, said arm and spring being so constructed and' arranged that the same serve normally to retain the leaf below the table top.

2. ln extension table, slideable table-top sections, an extension leaf adapted to be positioned beneath said sections When not in use, means for supporting said leaf for up and down movement With respect to the plane of said sections, said means including a spring for retaining the leaf in position beneath the level of said plane.

3. In an extension table, slideable table-top sections, an extension leaf adapted to be positioned beneath said sections When not in use, spring actuated means supporting said leaf for up and down movement with respect to the plane of said sections, and a device carried by the table top to release said spring means for moving the leaf from a normal position beneath the said sections.

4. An extension table comprising a supporting frame, slideable table-top sections mounted on said frame for horizontal movement to and away from a transverse center line, a vertically moveable leaf normally positioned below said sections, elevating means for said leaf comprising an arm pivoted to said frame leaf, and spring means for imparting a swinging movement to said arm and means for moving said arm and spring into operative position by the separating movement of said sections.

5. An extension-table comprising a frame, separable table-top sections slideably mounted on said frame, an auxiliary leaf normally positioned beneath said sections, arms pivotally secured to said frame having one end of each hinged to said leaf, springs connected to the other` ends of said arms, and means for tripping the arms for actuation by said springs on separating the table-top sections.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

IRVING SEGAL. 

